Chapter Text
“Vox!” Charlie waved him down frantically while she was holding a bunch of papers.
Vox stopped obediently and slowly turned his head to stare at her with a puzzled expression. “Yes, Princess?” Vox tried his best to keep his voice neutral to not portray any of the anxiety he felt spiking within him.
“Vox! I was just looking for you. Alastor, Vaggie, and I were just writing up some reports on you and Angel to see how you've been improving. I wanted to give you yours.” Charlie was way too friendly to be in Hell. She had a heart like Vox has never seen before. A heart of pure gold, which made him curious how she would be on Earth. If she was this happy in Hell, what would she be able to do on Earth? How many people could she save just by smiling at them?
“Why do I need my report?” Vox asked, but he held his hand out regardless to accept the papers.
“So you can read it over and see what you need to improve upon, silly!” Charlie handed it to him with a warm smile. “It focuses on the good things too, so you can also see what you've been doing amazing at.”
Vox frowned a bit before he flipped the papers over and then went through the pages. “Alright, well thank you. I'll read these over in the living room or whatever you call it.”
“Call it whatever you want to call it.” Charlie waved at Vox. “I got to go hunt down Angel now. Don't forget tonight is movie night, it starts at seven P.M.”
“Thank you. I'll see you for movie night then.” Vox waved ‘bye’ to Charlie, watching her spin around and run down the hallway to look for Angel.
Vox sighed before he stared down at the papers he was given. Papers that were probably full of all his faults and failures. While he knew Charlie was way too kind, Alastor and Vaggie had no problem tearing into him.
He supposes it's his own fault, but it's hard to try and be ‘redeemed’ when the staff are kind of dicks to you. He just wants to hit them upside the head sometimes, but if he did that, he would be sent back to Val. He didn't have it in him to try and face Val, not after their last fight resulted in Vark being threatened.
Vox still hasn't managed to send a break up text to Val. It was a constant strain in the back of his mind. He should break up with Val, especially with Vark's life in danger, but he just couldn't. He still loved Val. He felt so pathetic. His phone constantly buzzed with text messages from Val wondering when he'll see him next, or telling him about the new hole he managed to find. Means to make him jealous, but Val destroyed any jealousy Vox once carried inside of him long ago. Val wanted an open relationship, and Vox knew that if he didn't agree that Val would just cheat on him. It didn't make it hurt any less whenever Val would tell him about whoever it was he slept with, but as years passed, the pain had dulled.
It was kind of amusing to see Val remember what upset Vox but not remember that he destroyed that part of Vox many years ago.
Jealousy, possessiveness, the ability to just care about what your partner was doing; those were things Vox simply didn't have in him anymore, but he can’t help but wonder what it would be like if he could still care.
Would he be panicking over being so far away from Val? Would he be messaging him wondering what he was doing after not seeing him for so long? Would he return to Val the minute Val texted him saying he missed him?
Vox shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. He couldn't think like this. Depression probably isn't something Heaven looks for in redemption or whatever. The only reason why he was even humouring Charlie's idea was because they gave Vark safety and care for him when Vox couldn't. Sure he got a free place away from Valentino in exchange for doing these things too, but mostly he only worried for Vark's safety.
Vox made his way to the main room and took a seat on one of the couches, whistling for Vark. It didn't even take a second before Vark burst through a door and ran to his owner at full speed. His shark tail was wagging back and forth at an incredible speed, the speed even made his butt wiggle with his tail. It was endearing. Vark has gotten a lot happier in the Hazbin Hotel, which Vox was glad for. It would be awful if Vark hated it here.
Vox leaned down a bit to run his fingers along Vark's head. “Who's my good boy?” Vox whispered before pulling his hand back. “The Princess gave me a report. What do you think it says?” Vox asked his shark. Vark didn't respond. His tongue rolled out of his mouth and he just stared at Vox, one eye blinding before the other did.
Vox couldn't help but chuckle at Vark's antics. Vark was probably the only light Vox had left in his life, but he shone so bright that Vox didn't even mind. Vox would move Heaven and Hell if it meant Vark was safe.
Vox sighed before he withdrew his hand and turned his attention to the papers in his other hand. “Alright. Let's get this over with.” Vox couldn't help the slight scowl.
Vox rested his elbow on the arm of the couch and quickly began to scan through the small report. Vark curled into a tight ball right beside Vox's feet as he read, but when Vox let out a mildly insulted scoff, the shark’s head shot right up and looked around a bit confused before he stared at his owner.
“‘Problem with being touched still?’” Vox read aloud. “Alastor hates being touched but I bet that didn't end up in his report card.” Vox flicked the pages slightly before looking down at his shark. “Besides, why does it matter if I hate touch? It's not like that's a non-redeeming quality. It's a boundary! Who cares if mine was brought on by being hit so often? It's not that big of a deal. It's not something I need to work on. I'm fine the way I am.” Vox growled the last bit out. A small flicker of electricity built up around his antennas before he exhaled slowly, doing his best to calm himself before he blew a fuse. He couldn't afford to show any weakness. Most sinners already viewed him as a joke when he went to the Hazbin Hotel; if he had a power outage on top of that, his reputation would be ruined.
“‘Needs to improve his socializing skills. Stays isolated.’” Vox read aloud. Okay that one was fair. Vox really only went to the movie night and did whatever was required of him, but other than that he stayed away. It wasn't like he wasn't a social butterfly, he just couldn't face Angel still. The shame and embarrassment was too much for him to handle. He had no right to feel that way considering he's hurt Angel in the past, but what was it that Alastor used to say about having a time limit with his victims? Something about how the abused will sometimes become abusers?
Not like Vox was being abused. No. Val just sometimes got a little aggressive, but so did Vox. Sure he never hit Val like Val did to him, but he could do enough damage with his words. This was Hell after all. It's kill or be killed.
Vox leaned into his hand a bit as he continued to read his report card. It seemed he was willing to help others if asked and likes to keep busy, which was mostly true. He just felt obligated to help the Princess whenever she asked.
“Vox, my dear old friend!” Alastor's voice made Vox raise his head. He looked left to right before sighing and looking directly up. As expected, Alastor was leaning over the back of the couch and staring down at Vox with his predatory grin.
Vox raised a brow as he took in Alastor's appearance. His tie was off-center and his antlers were larger. Vox narrowed his eyes slightly and he could make out the velvet hanging off of them.
Back when Alastor and Vox were close, Vox was aware of Alastor's rut cycles. Of course he never lived with Alastor during them, nor did Alastor let him get close to him when the time neared, but Vox was well aware of them.
“Alastor.” Vox greeted cooly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Alastor didn't really avoid Vox, but Vox tended to avoid him. He mostly felt shameful that he had fallen so low and he didn't want Alastor to think even more lowly of him then he already did.
“I simply just wanted to see how you were doing! It's a rarity to catch you outside of your room, especially alone.” Alastor's voice was tight. Vox couldn't pinpoint what was wrong with it, but it was probably related to his rut.
Vark raised his head once more and stared at Alastor. The shark's gaze was unreadable, but Vox could feel Vark tensing up slightly under his legs. Vark could probably sense Vox's anxiety and was reacting to that.
“So what, you want to talk to me?” Vox frowned. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Well I do have to pretend to care for the guests under my protection.” Alastor's grin widened impossibly. “Is it so hard to believe that I also wish to check in on you?”
“Yes.” Vox deadpanned without hesitation. “Very.”
“Why Vox, you make it sound like I hate you!” Alastor clasped his hands together. “If I hated you, you would have been dead long ago. You know I am not one for sentimentality.”
“Right.” Vox rolled his eyes, ignoring the sting of Alastor's comment. “What do you want?”
“To talk to you!” Alastor moved his face even closer to Vox and rubbed his cheek against Vox's screen, making him flinch back slightly. “It seems you've been struggling a lot at our hotel and I can't help but wonder what the problem could be.”
Vox narrowed his eyes. “Aside from the daggers you and Vaggie keep glaring at me, nothing too much.”
“Now Vox! While I can't speak for our residential angel, you should know that I'm not ‘glaring daggers’ at you. I’m simply watching you closely.”
“You don't have to pretend that you like me. Hell, you don't have to pretend you even tolerate me.” Vox scoffed. “You've made it perfectly clear when you left that you don't care for me, no point in pretending now.”
Alastor's eyes flashed with uncertainty before the mask slipped back into place. “Vox, I may not care for whatever it is that Angel gets up to, but I do care about whatever you're getting involved in.”
“Yeah right.” Vox rolled his eyes. “Look, Alastor, I'm not entirely in the mood to entertain whatever thoughts you're having. In case you haven't noticed, I just got a report card stating what I'm bad at and I would like to read it.”
“You and I both know that report also says what you're good at.” Alastor walked around the couch, his claws ripping at the fabric ever so slightly. “I expect to see you at the movie, Vox.” Alastor shook his head violently, his neck snapping slightly before it realigned itself. Vox watched as one of the hanging pieces of velvet detached itself from his antlers and floated down to the ground.
Once Alastor left, Vox stood up and grabbed the piece of velvet that fell. He examined the bloody piece for a moment before he gave it to Vark, who ate it without hesitation. Vox crossed his arms and frowned a bit.
Rut.
Vix hated to admit it, but hiis knowledge was limited of demon animals going through a rut. From what he knew, most of them wanted to fuck and try to ‘breed’ a partner, atleast that was how Val described it to him. Alastor was different though.
Alastor had no interest in taking in a partner, romantic or sexual, and it seemed like his rut might make him feel the need to guard his territory more closely, but Vox didn't really know for sure. Did Alastor even take in rut partners? Was the hotel aware that Alastor even had ruts? They had to be. They happen once a year and it's been at least a year since Alastor started working with the hotel.
Whatever. It wasn't Vox's problem.
~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~
Okay, maybe it was Vox's problem. Turns out Vox counted as Alastor's territory or something and Vox was not allowed out of Alastor's sight, or even out of his reach.
Vox had gone to sit at his usual spot, on the floor on the opposite side of Angel and Alastor when a vicious growl escaped Alastor's throat. It had taken everyone by surprise, even Alastor who had covered his mouth and cast a glance at Charlie and Vaggie who were staring at him. Charlie looked more concerned while Vaggie seemed more annoyed.
Everyone looked to one another in confusion before Vox scooted closer to Alastor. His ears went from pressed against his head to flicking forward, watching Vox carefully.
Vox moved until he was seated right in front of Alastor's chair. Alastor's hand immediately dropped down and gently grasped at Vox's shoulder which made Vox flinch. Vox shakily inhaled before batting Alastor's hand off of him and grasping it with own.
While Alastor didn't seem content with that, he didn't complain and accepted the touch.
Charlie, Vaggie, Angel, and Lucifer were giving them confused looks while Husk seemed more annoyed than anything, his nose wrinkling occasionally and Niffty seem mildly insulted.
It was strange, but nothing Vox couldn't handle. He was a master of handling uncomfortable positions. A huge part of being a celebrity was dealing with uncomfortable situations, though this was most likely- most definitely- something he has to talk to Alastor about.
“Niffty! What did you pick for tonight's movie?” Charlie's voice distracted everyone from the weird scene to their right of them.
Niffty grinned wildly and held up a movie. “The Demon Centipede.” She seemed so proud of her choice.
“Ew.” Vox couldn't keep the disgust out of his voice as he looked down at his phone. Val was sending him messages. As he scrolled through the hundreds of messages, a small smile ghosted his features as he realized he got one from Velvette.
“What's wrong with The Demon Centipede?” Charlie asked with a frown.
“It's a movie about demons being stitched together. Face to ass.” Vox answered absent-mindedly as he typed out a response to Velvette one handed as Alastor's grip on his hand seemed to have tightened.
“Niffty! What did we say about disturbing horror movies!” Vaggie immediately turned her attention to Niffty. “After the last one we banned them!” The last one was Tusk or something like that. Vox didn't pay attention to the movie, like, at all.
“Oh come on!” Niffty whined. “We're in Hell!”
“We're also trying to make this a bonding moment.” Charlie explained gently. “We need movies that everyone is comfortable with.”
Niffty looked over to Alastor with a pout, clearly hoping he would be on her side. “Pick something more family friendly, Dear. I'll watch it with you some other time.” Alastor promised.
Niffty frowned and she seemed very disheartened, but she ran over to Alastor and shoved the movie into his free hand before she scurried off back to her room to pick out some other movie she had.
Alastor flipped the movie over before setting it on the arm rest of his seat. Vox looked back to their joined hands for a moment before looking at Alastor with a raised brow. Alastor sighed and stood up, tugging Vox up with him. “Vox and I will get the drinks and popcorn while Niffty is picking.” Alastor announced, which was obviously code for ‘Vox and I will be talking privately.’
“Okay, thank you, Al.” Charlie didn't even bat an eye. “We'll make sure Niffty picks something not as gross.”
“Hm.” Alastor hummed before he tugged Vox in the direction of the kitchen. Vox followed obediently, his head held low slightly as he shoved his phone into his pocket, trying his hardest to ignore Val's messages.
Once the two were in the kitchen, Alastor got to work pulling everyone's mugs out, and a small kid cup specifically for Lucifer.
Vox took a seat at the counter, watching Alastor as he made tea for everyone, and poured an apple juice for Lucifer; he strives to be this level of petty one day.
“So… that hand holding?” Vox decided to start the conversation. “What was that about?”
“Vox.” Alastor inhaled sharply. “As you're well aware, I have a yearly rut.”
“Yes.” Vox agreed. “However I'm not allowed near you during those times.” He pointed out.
“Well my body tends to pick a rut partner. I don't get a say in who it was. Last year my body didn't seem to pick anyone and was enraged no matter what, and the years prior, it always picked Niffty as a person to protect and care for.” Alastor explained as his ears flattened back slightly. “It seems this year my body has decided you are who I am to care for.”
“Okay.” Vox spoke slowly as he tried to wrap his mind around what Alastor was saying. “Meaning?”
“Vox, I am coming to you to ask that you help me with my rut.” Alastor growled out through gritted teeth.
“I'm in a relationship.” Vox looked to the side in shame. “Even if we haven't been… talking, I won't cheat on Val.”
“There is no physical requirement other than being in my room with me.” Alastor explained. “Even if you wish to… speak to that moth, I'm sure we can make arrangements to benefit us both, besides I am fully aware you intend to send a message to your ‘partner’ to break up with him.” Alastor held his hands up and did air quotations as he said the word ‘partner.’
“So what?” Vox scowled.
“If you stay with me, for the month, in my room, I will let you continue your work independently, but most importantly, I will protect you from any physical moves Valentino may make towards you after you break it off.” Alastor was doing his best to speak calmly, but rage crept into his voice when he mentioned Valentino's name.
“So what? You want me to break up with Val during your rut and you'll keep me safe while I'm stuck in your room?”
“Yes.” Alastor agreed quickly. “There is no sexual intimacy required. I simply need you nearby and, sadly, isolated from others so I don't try to hurt the others for being so near to you.”
“I just need to be around you, in your room, for a month? No sex, no kissing, nothing like that?” Vox wanted to make sure he was understanding this.
“I may touch you or try and get my scent on you in some way to ward off potential threats.” Alastor added. “No kissing or sex, that, I can guarantee.”
Vox stared at Alastor. He blinked slowly before he looked down. Safety for a month from Val. Vox could break up with Val and not have to worry about the aftermath for a month. All he had to do was be around Alastor and let him touch him occasionally?
Vox inhaled sharply before he raised his head. Vox held out his hand, blue electricity sparking through it. “I will stay with you for the entirety of your rut in exchange for protection from Val for the entire and for the protection of Vark for the month. Do we have a deal?”
Alastor started down at Vox's hand before he grasped it firmly. “Deal.” Alastor agreed. Green power flowed through Vox while electricity sparked through Alastor, the entire kitchen was covered in symbols and electricity as their power intermingled and sealed their fates.
Vox pulled his hand back and stared at it for a minute before he dropped it down to his side.
“When my rut gets worse, your shark will have to stay with Niffty as I will view anything and everything as a threat, however it should only last a week, then he may return to the room.”
“Very well. So long as he remains protected.” Vox narrowed his eyes.
“He will be.” Alastor promised. “Now, I'm sure our deal was felt by everyone. Shall we face the music?”
“I guess.” Vox grumbled as he grabbed a tray to put some of the mugs on so he could carry them out. “You have to explain it to them though.”
“They're already aware of my ruts, it shouldn't be a problem.” Alastor waved his hand dismissively before making popcorn appear out of nowhere.
“I'm sure.” Vox turned and walked out of the kitchen, Alastor following after him.
It was no surprise that they got bombarded as soon as they entered the living room.
“Why'd you make a deal?”
“What happened?”
“Is everything okay?”
“What were you thinking?”
Everyone was talking over each other and it was hard to pinpoint who was talking to who.
“Everything is fine.” Alastor waved his hand dismissively as he handed out the bowls of popcorn, and then the drinks.
When Alastor handed the cup of apple juice to Lucifer, he was met with a scowl and a glare. “You bitch.” Lucifer muttered under his breath, but accepted the cup nonetheless.
“I will be entering my yearly rut soon and my body has decided Vox will be who I am protecting. We entered a deal that is mutually beneficial for both of us and will not hinder Vox's progress in any way.” Alastor explained. “Within the next week, Vox will be moving into my room and we will be staying together for the month. What Vox gets in exchange is none of your concern, but do know it is not something that will hurt him.”
Charlie gave Vox a worried glance. “You'll be okay?” She asked.
“I'll be fine.” Vox promised. “This will probably be good for me. I can do all those trust exercises with Alastor, who I would say I trust the least.” He added with a glare to his former friend. He ignored the way Alastor's eye twitched before he returned his attention to Charlie. “If I somehow manage to get in danger, I'll let you know immediately.”
“Okay. I trust you, and I'm really happy you two are taking the steps to mend your friendship.” Charlie gently grasped Vox's hands and smiled warmly.
Vox casted a glance at Alastor who was still wearing his stupid smile. “Yeah, I guess we are.”